Seismosaurus (Zoids)
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The Seismosaurus is a Zoid, a race of mechanical lifeforms from the fictional Zoids universe. It is the longest Zoid ever released as a model kit.
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Overview
Created by the Neo-Zenebas Empire as a response to the Gojulas Giga, the Seismosaurus is one of the largest and most powerful Zoids ever created for military use. Like the Liger Zero and Berserk Führer, the Zoid is based on the body of a wild Zoid type. The entire Zoid is built as a platform for the massive Focused Charged Particle Cannon (also known as the "Zenebas Cannon"), an incredibly powerful energy weapon. Based on the Death Saurer's main weapon, this cannon trades off damage for an incredibly long range. Even so, the weapon far outstrips the power of the Geno Saurer or Berserk Fuhrer's main CPC, while the Seismosaurus does not need to be immobilised in order to fire the weapon. A common tactic is for the Zoid to "sweep" the cannon across enemy lines.
The Seismosaurus' secondary weapons are no less impressive. Most notable amongst them are thirty-one beam cannons spread along the neck, body, and tail. These weapons can channel particle energy from the Zoid's cannon, making them far more powerful than their small size would indicate. The Zoid is also wrapped in thick armour that is virtually impenetrable, rivalling that of the Death Saurer.
The Zoid's only true weakness is its lack of speed and agility; however due to its massive arsenal and thick armour most enemies are unlikely to be able to exploit this.
Fuzor
Rather than using standard Customise Parts, the Seismosaurus is capable of combining with additional Blox Zoids to increase its capabilities. Two Fuzor Zoid combinations are known.
- Ultimate Seismosaurus: This Fuzor combines the Seismosaurus with the Scissor Storm and Laser Storm, and allows the Seismosaurus to use their weapons in addition to its own. It is unusual in that it is one of the few three-Zoid Fuzors.
- Berserker Seismosaurus: This Fuzor combines the Seismosaurus with the Styluarmor, significantly increasing the Zoid's firepower. Similar to the Fuzors of its Helic counterpart, the Gairyuki, this Fuzor does not make use of the Blox unit's cockpit
Battle Story appearances
By ZAC 2106, the Helic Republic had begun mass production of the Gojulas Giga, a Zoid that outperformed most of those in the Neo-Zenebas arsenal. In order to counter it, the Neo-Zenebas forces needed a Zoid capable of destroying it at long range. At the same time, their leadership wanted a "pure" Zenebas Zoid that lacked the "Guylos influence" of designs like the Geno Saurer or Berserk Fury.
The Seismosaurus was sent straight to the frontlines of the conflict, along with the Scissor Storm and Laser Storm 'Support Blox'. The Zoid proved to be devastatingly effective, able to effortlessly decimate enemy formations, and easily destroy the Gojulas Giga before the latter could engage it. The Seismosaurus was used to launch a new offensive that managed to all but destroy the Helic army, and drive their forces off the Central Continent. As a response to the threat posed by this Zoid, the Helic Republic created the Gairyuki specifically to counter it.
Media appearances
Anime
The Seismosaurus features heavily in the second half of Zoids: Fuzors. The Seismosaurus was created by Alpha Richter as his "ultimate weapon" for use against the Zi-Fighters (and other forces) that resisted his coup in Blue City. In many ways, it was a weapon of "last resort;" for use against those that his political power couldn't control.
in episode 25 and 26, Alpha piloted the Zoid into battle against the remaining Zi-Fighters, turning the Seismosaurus' firepower on them, along with a number of his former allies. As soon as he arrived at the location of the resistance, Alpha caused the Seismosaurus to fuse with modified, enlarged versions of the Scissor Storm and Laser Storm Blox, creating Ultimate Seismo. The combined forces of the Zi-Fighters were able to fight back, destroying the two giant Blox Zoids, until Marvis arrived with his Styluarmor, allowing Alpha to create the Berserk Seismo. Berserk Seismo was able to defeat every opponent excluding Blake and RD.
As Blake tried to rescue the brainwashed Luke from the Seismosaurus, succeeding at the cost of his capability to fight in the final struggle, R.D. engaged the Berserk Seismo. As he fought, R.D. discovered that the Liger Zero Falcon was the legendary Alpha Zoid, and with this knowledge was able to destroy the Seismosaurus.
Size discrepancy
Like most major 'villain' Zoids, the Seismosaurus is depicted as orders of magnitude larger than its Battle Story compatriot. This discrepancy was highlighted when it fused with the Styluarmor, which was depicted as considerably smaller then the Gojulas Giga, the size of which itself is also exaggerated (which is more obvious in the introduction before each opening of Zoids Genesis which feature both Zoids along with others from Fuzors). At other times, the Seismosaurus appears to be as tall as a large building, and is large that the Zoids it was fighting could stand on it.
Furthermore, the Styluarmor cockpit is not part of the Berserk Seismo Fuzor, so how Marvis became part of it is a total mystery. It is possible, however, that the cockpit went into some compartment, given the Seismosaurus' size.
Video games
The Seismosaurus makes an appearance in the Nintendo GameCube game Zoids: Battle Legends. Relatively late in the game (after defeating the Bloody Death Saurer), the player will be assigned a mission entitled 'Lightball Dragon'; the objective of which is the destruction of the Seismosaurus.
Models
New Japanese Release
- Assembly required. (Snap-together, no glue needed. Scissors or X-acto knife recommended for trimming off excess plastic bits.)
- The model's colours are moulded into the plastic, and it does not need any paint.
The Seismosaurus kit comes on eight frames, along with a battery-operated motor, eighteen rubber caps, six plastic gears, three clear canopies, a two-part display stand, and three blue pilot figures. The Seismosaurus is moulded in cream, with maroon and light purple structure, and dark grey weapons. The Zoid's canopies and 'eyes' are translucent green.
The Seismosaurus is one of the more complicated model kits in the Zoids line and is rather difficult to build, with the Zoid's size adding extra complexity. Particular care has to be paid to the complex tail assembly. Seismosaurus is the longest Zoid model ever produced; 30 inches (76 centimetres) when fully lengthened. The model uses a single "AA" sized battery for motion. Once activated, the Zoid walks forwards, sweeping its head and tail from side to side. In addition, the canopy and numerous weapons turrets on the body can be manually positioned.
No specific extra weapons were produced for the Seismosaurus. However, the Zoid sports numerous mounting points for Blox components. These are spread across the body, including one at the top of the neck, where the head is mounted. In addition, the Scissor Storm and Laser Storm Blox were designed to act as weapons for Seismosaurus.
The Seismosaurus was released in 2004, with production continuing until 2005. Several other versions were also released.
Blue Seismosaurus
This variant was released in 2004 as a contest giveaway. It was remoulded in blue, white, and black, and came with a similarly coloured Styluarmor.
New American Release
The Seismosaurus was scheduled for release as a part of the New American Release in 2004. This version of the Seismosaurus was recoloured in black, with maroon and light purple structure and silver weapons. The kit did not include the stand included in the NJR Version, but was otherwise unchanged. Despite having Neo-Zenebas logos on the label sheet, the NAR version had Guylos logos on the box.
Due to the cancellation of the NAR, the Zoid was not released in North America. What stock had been produced was released in Australia and the UK in early-mid 2005.
Four prototypes are known to exist and are in the hands of private collectors, with one having been sold on eBay, they have a few differences in the label sheets, photocopied instructions, and bright red instead of maroon.
New Pacific Release
The Seismosaurus was also scheduled for release in Australia as a part of the New Pacific Release (This release was to be separate from the NAR leftover stock). However, due to the cancellation of the line, this version was only released in the Philippines. The NPR version was identical to the NAR model, except for the packaging, which corrected the faction symbol used.
Fuzors
The final model released in the Fuzors line, (although not the intended final release), the Ultimate Seismosaurus model included the Styluarmor, Scissor Storm, and Laser Storm Blox Zoids along with the Seismosaurus, all in a unified colour scheme. The release was coloured almost the same as the Hasbro version (with the red parts being subtly metallic), and a custom sticker sheet was included. Instructions to build the Seismosaurus and three Blox Zoids separately as well as ones for the Ultimate Seismo and Berserker Seismo.
Seismosaurus Cannon
In 2008 information was released showing the model with a large cannon mounted on its back. Known as the Seismosaurus Cannon, it is a special resin kit that would probably be sold in conventions in extremely limited numbers.
Related Zoids
Seismosaurus is part of the 'Fuzor' Zoids Ultimate Seismo (incorporating Scissor Storm and Laser Storm) and Berserker Seismo (incorporating Styluarmor).
See the articles on these individual Zoids for more information on their role as "Fuzor Partners".